Solid-State Image Pickup Device With Dual Pixel Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
CMOS solid-state image pickup devices experience image distortion and reduced video reading speed due to varying exposure timings across pixel rows, leading to focal plane phenomena when capturing moving subjects or objects with mechanical shutters.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state image pickup device with two vertically adjacent pixel arrays and independent vertical signal lines, allowing for simultaneous scanning and signal processing to reduce distortion and increase reading speed by outputting pixel signals from one frame as a single image signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the imaging area is vertically divided into two segments to accelerate operations, then video reading speed is improved, but subject distortion occurs in the center part of the picture
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into two vertically adjacent imaging areas (first and second imaging areas), each with independent signal lines. This segmentation allows simultaneous scanning of both areas, doubling the video reading speed while maintaining independent control over scanning directions to prevent distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning directions of the two imaging areas are set to be opposite (one scans from top to bottom, the other from bottom to top). This asymmetric scanning approach ensures that the center part of the picture is captured at the same time by both areas, eliminating the distortion that would otherwise occur in the center region.
2Manufacturing precision
If scanning is performed from the center part to periphery or from periphery to center part in both vertically adjacent imaging areas, then the difference in image obtainment time at the center part is reduced, but subject distortion direction becomes opposite and the subject looks folded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of scanning both imaging areas in the same direction (which causes center distortion), the patent inverts the scanning direction of one imaging area relative to the other. The first imaging area scans from top to bottom while the second scans from bottom to top, causing their scan lines to meet at the center simultaneously and eliminate distortion.
3Device complexity
If a rolling shutter is used without mechanical shutter, then device complexity is reduced, but image distortion occurs when subject or image pickup device moves horizontally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter system with an electronic scanning system using two vertically adjacent imaging areas. By controlling the scanning directions and timing of these two areas, the system achieves global shutter-like效果 (simultaneous capture of entire scene) without mechanical components, eliminating distortion while maintaining simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces subject distortion in the center of images and enhances video reading speed by synchronizing pixel signal output across the arrays, achieving high-speed image capture without mechanical shutters.
Implementation Method 1
a first pixel array in which a plurality of first pixels are arranged two-dimensionally, the plurality of first pixels generating a plurality of first pixel signals by photo-electrically converting received light
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state image pickup device includes: a first pixel array which generates first pixel data; a second pixel array which generates second pixel data; a vertical scanning unit which drives the rows of the first pixel array and the rows of the second pixel array independently; and a signal processing circuit which outputs, as a single image signal, a pair of (i) the plurality of second pixel signals generated in the second pixel array in a first frame and (ii) the plurality of first pixel signals generated in the first pixel array in a second frame immediately after the first frame.